Vaer S3 Calendar Review.
BLUF: Great value quartz watch.
The Vaer S3 delivers exactly what is promised on the box. It's a basic quartz field watch designed to be worn all day, every day. I haven't taken particular note of its performance as far as accuracy goes, but being a Miyota powered quartz watch, it's definitely more than accurate enough for the real world, since the standard for accuracy is -10/+20 seconds per month.
I picked up the S3 because I have been recommending it to people looking for a small field watch. I figured it was about time I took my own advice. I also wanted to try out a 36mm watch without taking too much of a financial risk, and at $179 USD it was an easy sell.
The 36mm size initially felt a bit too small, but after a few days of wearing it the size started to feel a lot more natural. I ended up switching the strap to a Vaer tropic rubber strap(cover photo) that I got with my D5 a couple of years ago, which made the wearing experience even better.
I'll start with the negatives and move into the positives afterward:
The stock silicone strap is a silicone strap... That is to say, like all silicone straps it attracts lint, skin, dirt, etc., which makes the wearing experience a bit less than ideal. I highly recommend upgrading to a Vaer FKM rubber strap.
The lume is serviceable, but not impressive. I have no trouble reading the watch all night long, but it won't make for a good party trick.
Like many quartz watches, the second hand doesn't hit every marker perfectly. I don't care, but I know people do, so be forewarned.
The Positives:
The S3 takes the standard field watch, and cleans it up a bit. It's a bit closer to the WWII style, in that it drops the superfluous 24 hour markings on the inner dial. If you need to know the 24 hour time, you already do the conversion in your head, making the marks are an affectation.
The movement is a reliable, and practical Miyota 2035.
The price/spec is quite good for a watch with a reachable customer service team. Sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, 100m WR, and thinner than most "rugged" watches.
The stats are available on the Vaer site, but a couple of key points are;
36mm diameter
8.5mm thickness
20mm lug width.
My star system is simple; 3 stars is "good enough to buy", 5 stars is "as good as it gets for the price".
Vaer S3 Calendar Review.
Yes
No
- Clean dial design
- Sapphire crystal
- Proven Miyota quartz movement
- Priced well for the specs
- 36mm is small for many
- Second hand doesn't perfectly hit every mark
- Lume is not it's strong point
- Stock silicone strap is a lint/dirt magnet
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Love the honest review my dude! 🤘🏻👌🏻
Love the honest review my dude! 🤘🏻👌🏻
Thanks!
I'm not much for writing, but I figured this watch deserved a bit of a highlight in the community.
I like what Vaer are doing (quartz & automatic)! Solid value at different price points well below $1000.
I like what Vaer are doing (quartz & automatic)! Solid value at different price points well below $1000.
I agree completely!
I also like where they brand came from; two guys who wanted a watch they could wear casually that looked good, but that they could also wear surfing, swimming, hiking etc.. At least that's the story, for what founding stories are worth.
Thanks!
I'm not much for writing, but I figured this watch deserved a bit of a highlight in the community.
Totally agreed and it's a fair review too. If everything is 5's what's the point. You can still enjoy and want a solid watch, it just can't always be 5/5.
Hey Kristian,
Great review and solid looking Vaer watch! I actually reached out to Vaer for the S3 Tradition - which is similar to your S3 but with a 3-6-9 Explorer-style layout. The team was very responsive so A+ on customer service.
Simple, clean, no frills. I like that’s a quartz and they opted to do away with the 24h markers - those were largely unnecessary anyway and just cluttered up the dial.
I expect I’ll prolly pick one up in the coming months - especially if they restock the S3 Tradition.
I have one and like it very much. Remove the unreadable date and improve the lume on the hands and it would be nearly perfect
I have one and like it very much. Remove the unreadable date and improve the lume on the hands and it would be nearly perfect
I love that it has a date, but I can see why some people don't like it.
I know they make USA assembly versions of their field watches with no date and more lume, but they also cost about $100 more.
Hey Kristian,
Great review and solid looking Vaer watch! I actually reached out to Vaer for the S3 Tradition - which is similar to your S3 but with a 3-6-9 Explorer-style layout. The team was very responsive so A+ on customer service.
Simple, clean, no frills. I like that’s a quartz and they opted to do away with the 24h markers - those were largely unnecessary anyway and just cluttered up the dial.
I expect I’ll prolly pick one up in the coming months - especially if they restock the S3 Tradition.
Based on over a month with this one, and a couple of years with my Vaer D5, I can definitely recommend the brand.
I expect the S3 Tradition will pop up again, they seem to keep the popular models around.
Handsome! Good acquisition.
Picked up a Vaer quartz white dial. Dial and case were fine. "Premium" bracelet was shite and expensive. Won't go there again.
I don't get the hype, based on that singular experience.
Picked up a Vaer quartz white dial. Dial and case were fine. "Premium" bracelet was shite and expensive. Won't go there again.
I don't get the hype, based on that singular experience.
I don't do bracelets, so I can't comment on that. All bracelets are terrible in my opinion... Why would anyone want to put an inflexible and cold metal shackle on their wrist?
I love that they offer a basic quartz, premium quartz, and automatic on some models.
I'm not sure that there is much "hype" either... It's a brand that seems to be praised by owners rather than brands like Seiko and Casio that are genuinely "hyped".
Awesome review!! Honest and straightforward. I have the C3 Tradition (Vaer's take on the Rolex Explorer 1016) and I really like it!! Affordable, reliable, really good build quality and a great GADA!! Lume is BRIGHT initially but dims out quickly. It does last pretty long tho. The seconds hand not hitting every mark perfectly is quirky but doesn't bother me too much. Plus, this is an American Assembled version with an American quartz movement!! As an American, a local business should be supported!! American watchmaking is rare these days. A bygone era for sure
Awesome review!! Honest and straightforward. I have the C3 Tradition (Vaer's take on the Rolex Explorer 1016) and I really like it!! Affordable, reliable, really good build quality and a great GADA!! Lume is BRIGHT initially but dims out quickly. It does last pretty long tho. The seconds hand not hitting every mark perfectly is quirky but doesn't bother me too much. Plus, this is an American Assembled version with an American quartz movement!! As an American, a local business should be supported!! American watchmaking is rare these days. A bygone era for sure
I was torn between a C3 and an S3, but I decided to go with the even more affordable option. I wanted to see what a "base" Vaer was all about, and now I can confidently recommend them.
I’ve had this same watch for a couple years now and it’s an excellent field watch, especially for the price! Basic and gets the job done. Wish the date was a little more legible, but that’s nit-picking. I wear it on rubber and NATO straps.
I also have the D4 solar diver. Bought it on the premium bracelet and the quick release tabs are too large. They dig into my wrist and make it uncomfortable. If they make those smaller it would be a great bracelet! Add on the fly microadjust and it would be perfect 😉.
I like Vaer’s story and the fact they are made in America. Don’t see that much anymore.
Based on over a month with this one, and a couple of years with my Vaer D5, I can definitely recommend the brand.
I expect the S3 Tradition will pop up again, they seem to keep the popular models around.
Fingers-crossed! If Vaer is listening the C3 Tradition with white rather than faux patina would be a nice touch for maximum legibility. 🙏🏻
Fingers-crossed! If Vaer is listening the C3 Tradition with white rather than faux patina would be a nice touch for maximum legibility. 🙏🏻
I agree, it would be a very clean and legible dial.
I know what the A stands for, but I'm still trying to break the code for C and S.
I know what the A stands for, but I'm still trying to break the code for C and S.
I know S is for "Standard", but I'm not sure what the C is supposed to mean.
Interestingly, my automatic is a D, but since it's a diver it makes sense.